TERRAIN: Graded easy. This is a flat walk along a sandy beach, dunes path, earth tracks and paved surfaces. The beach is reached via stepping stones across a river, and there is one set of steps on the route.
There is a small parking area in Sannox opposite Glen Cottage, where the local bus service also stops.
Public toilets at the parking area at start of walk
Dog friendly walk
View full route description
From the parking area in Sannox, facing Glen Cottage turn right (NW), looking out for a trail on your right leading to the river. Cross via the stepping stones then turn right, emerging onto the sandy beach a short distance along.
Turn left (N) to walk along the beach as far as some steps leading up to a bench and viewpoint.
From the bench / viewpoint follow the high dunes path back in the direction of the car park, turning right approx halfway along, to go through a tall wooden gate leading to a field-edge track.
At the end of the track turn left, passing a small church and Sannox Christian Centre, and emerging onto the main road.
Turn left and immediately after passing a farm track, look for a narrow trail on your left taking you off the road and down to the river. Follow this along the river, keeping right at a fork to re-cross the stepping stones and return to the parking area.
Walk Report: 2nd April 2025
Sannox holds a special place in my heart, having been the location of many family holidays over the years. We used to stay in the house beside Sannox Church which provided basic accommodation in the form of bunk beds, shared rooms, communal spaces etc. It was ideal for the large group of around 15 of us, family and close friends, that went across to Arran every August. What started as a weekend break, over the years extended to a whole week. It was a staple of the summer holidays and this was back in the days before mobile phones or portable games consoles, so it really was good old fashioned fun.
I have fond memories of sing-a-longs with Dad’s guitar, both in the house and down on the beach at night with a campfire, driving around the island stopping off at the same places every year (ha!), lots of lovely walks (usually the same ones every year, ha!)…
The house was ideally situated for our gang who loved walking and hill walking – we’d often head into Glen Sannox and up into the hills. By the time I reached my 12th birthday, I had lost count of the number of times I’d been up Goatfell. In fact, my request for that 12th birthday was to be at the summit for 12:12pm, which was my time of birth. I mean, what 12 year old do you know who asks to do that on their birthday?!
We often went to Sannox Beach during these visits: it was literally a few minutes walk from the house. A beautiful swathe of golden sand, and that unforgettable backdrop of the Arran hills, in particular the Devil’s Punchbowl. Now when I return there I feel a sense of calm – it feels like home I guess. Possibly the best part is that after all these years, it hasn’t changed. It’s still the same quiet bay, with the same beauty, and the same view 🙂
I hope you enjoy this short circular walk if you are visiting the island and have time to stop off in Sannox. Here are a few photos to tempt you!
